Sunday, February 14, 2016

Recommendation- WHISPER IF YOU NEED ME by Dina Silver

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!

Are you in need of a summer read that will take you to a place that's both hot and sweet? In Whisper If You Need Me, we are taken to summer camp! An all girls summer camp, with some sexy male camp counselors. I liked that I was surprised with both the story and the author. She was a first time read for me, and after I finished reading this, I immediately dove into another one of her stories, Kat Fight. What I loved so much about the book was the fact that I never got to experience camp the way the kids do in the story. It's not to say that I didn't go to a camp though; I went to a church camp and it was only three days. Plus there wasn't any hot men to look at. Then again I was a child, but still! The romance was perfect; swoony and a little bit forbidden. But I enjoyed getting to see the two leads fall in love. There was a serious scene that happened towards the end of the book, it involved a character who may or may not have died. I won't disclose who or how it happened though. You should totally find out for yourself!

Seriously, I loved this book! Check it out.

Blurb:
A strong-willed yet vulnerable young beauty, Julia Pearl is sixteen years old when she’s sent away to summer camp for the first time. Julia’s father and stepmother are convinced that time away from home will be good for Julia, hoping it will restore the confidence she lost when her mother disappeared five years earlier.

Released from the emotional constraints of her new family and the ugly reputation her mother left behind, Julia finds herself reluctantly tossed into the free-spirited and often drama-infused world of overnight camp—where she quickly falls for an intensely charismatic counselor named Jack Dempsey, a nineteen-year-old college student who will prove to save her life in more ways than one.

Rich with humor and poignancy, Whisper If You Need Me is a timeless story that will remind readers of the strength of friendship, the unwavering devotion of family, and ultimately, the power of young love.


Buy the Book!

About the Author:
A graduate of Purdue University, Dina Silver has spent the past fifteen years feeding her red wine habit by working as a copywriter in the advertising industry. After seeing the bulk of her professional prose on brochures and direct mail pieces, she is delighted to have made the transition to novelist. She currently lives with her husband and son in suburban Chicago. Additionally, she loves talking about herself in the third person.

About books I review...
I am an author, so I appreciate the value of a 5-star review. I know that those stars mean more to an author, than they do to me as the reviewer who's doling them out. That being said, if I like a book at all, chances are I'm going to give it 5-stars. However, in the detailed description of my review is where I will attempt to explain what I actually thought of the book, so people can get a better idea of exactly how much I liked or loved it.

If I did not enjoy a book, or was unable to finish it, I simply will not review it. I have no interest in bashing anyone else's hard work
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Saturday, February 13, 2016

Review: Truthwitch (The Witchlands, #1) by Susan Dennard


Publisher: Tor Teen
Pub.Date: January 5, 2016
Genre: YA Fantasy
Source: Print ARC from publisher
Rating: 3.5 Stars


Blurb:
On a continent ruled by three empires, some are born with a “witchery”, a magical skill that sets them apart from others.

In the Witchlands, there are almost as many types of magic as there are ways to get in trouble—as two desperate young women know all too well.

Safiya is a Truthwitch, able to discern truth from lie. It’s a powerful magic that many would kill to have on their side, especially amongst the nobility to which Safi was born. So Safi must keep her gift hidden, lest she be used as a pawn in the struggle between empires.

Iseult, a Threadwitch, can see the invisible ties that bind and entangle the lives around her—but she cannot see the bonds that touch her own heart. Her unlikely friendship with Safi has taken her from life as an outcast into one of reckless adventure, where she is a cool, wary balance to Safi’s hotheaded impulsiveness.

Safi and Iseult just want to be free to live their own lives, but war is coming to the Witchlands. With the help of the cunning Prince Merik (a Windwitch and ship’s captain) and the hindrance of a Bloodwitch bent on revenge, the friends must fight emperors, princes, and mercenaries alike, who will stop at nothing to get their hands on a Truthwitch.


Review:
This is easily the lost anticipated read on my TBR since I first heard about the book. It's Susan Dennard, has badass heroines, and it's about witches. Come on, what more do you even need to want to be able to dive into this baby? The story was quite interesting to say the least. I enjoyed the characters, I enjoyed the action; what I didn't enjoy was that at times I felt like I was reading a text book. Sometimes I would have to read a paragraph over and over because I had no damn idea what the hell I was reading.

The story sometimes lacked in areas, such as being dragged on and on. But for the most part I really did enjoy the book. Of course I was ecstatic when the arc landed on my doorstep. I went dancing around the house because it's a beautiful freaken book. I just wanted to keep stroking it and calling it my precious. Safi and Iseult were great leads. It's always such a great thing, in my opinion, when we have female leads that can take care of themselves. Not that being a damsel in distress is a bad thing every now and then, but it's nice to see the message all the same.

My favorite character, and the one I thought was most interesting was a blood monk, Aeduan. I thought he was well written and his character was also well developed. I found myself wishing that we could have more scenes with him in it. I do find myself anticipating the next book for him and him alone.  Overall...even though I may have hyped this up too big, I still enjoyed it enough to continue the rest of the books. Check this one out if you haven't already. The writing really is something else and Dennard clearly knows what she's doing when it comes to making a complex world.

*Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Buy the Book!

About the Author:
Susan Dennard has come a long way from small-town Georgia. With a masters degree in marine biology, she got to travel the world—six out of seven continents, to be exact (she’ll get to Asia one of these days!)—before she settled down as a full-time novelist and writing instructor.

She is the author of the Something Strange and Deadly series (from HarperTeen) as well as the forthcoming Witchlands Series (Tor, 2015). When not writing, she can be found hiking with her dogs, exploring tidal pools, or earning bruises at the dojo.

You can learn more about Susan on her website, blog, newsletter, Twitter, or Pinterest.


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Friday, February 12, 2016

Review: WICKED SEXY LIAR (Wild Seasons, #4) by Christina Lauren


 Publisher: Gallery Books
Pub. Date: February 2, 2016
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Print ARC from publisher
Rating: 5 Stars


Blurb:
When three college besties meet three hot guys in Vegas, anything can—and does—happen. Book Four in the New York Times Wild Seasons series that began with Sweet Filthy Boy (the Romantic Times book of the year that Sylvia Day called “a sexy, sweet treasure of a story”), Dirty Rowdy Thing, and Dark Wild Night.

For two people ambivalent about dating and love, they sure get naked around each other an awful lot . . .

London Hughes is very content to surf daily, tend bar, hang out with her group of friends, and slowly orient herself in the years after college. Everything’s going great and according to the non-plan.

But when a wave knocks her for a loop one morning, then Luke Sutter’s flirtatious smile knocks her for another that evening, she veers slightly off course…and into his path. Sure, he’s a total player, but the Why not—it’s only one night is a persistent voice in her ear.

For his part, Luke’s been on hookup autopilot for so long that he rarely ever pauses to consider what he’s doing. But after an amazing time with London, he realizes that he hasn’t been moving on from a devastating heartbreak so much as he’s been drifting to wherever—and whomever—the current takes him. With London he wants more.

Every relationship involves two people…plus their pasts. And as much as she enjoys her fling with Luke, when London learns about his past—more specifically, who’s in it—everything becomes the brand of complicated she strives to avoid. It’s up to Luke then to change some things in order to try and ensure he’s not something she’ll outright avoid as well.


Review:
I don't know what's wrong with me. I guess I forgot the "small" detail that Luke is the Luke...you know, Mia's ex? How the hell could I forget such an important detail. And the only reason I'm saying this, is for those of you who are like me, and forgot as well. Well, there you go. We know Luke. And we despise him.

Okay, not really. And after reading Wild Sexy Liar, I think I fell in love with him even more. Of course, he doesn't come close to Oliver, but he is high up as far as book boyfriends go. London, what can I NOT say about her? She's adorable and I immediately liked her. Sure, the girl is pretty closed off for a lot of the book but I enjoyed watching her walls come down. Luke most definitely had tons of fun bringing her...walls down.

So what's the story? London doesn't do relationships. She's not looking for a boyfriend much less a hook-up. And she especially doesn't go home with customers from the bar she works at, ever. It all changes the moment she meets Luke through. He's charming, cocky, funny, and insanely sexy. London finds herself doing exactly that. What's even more surprising, she lets Luke run the bases, alllllll the way home. But let's face it, London wins in homeruns that night...four more times than Luke.

The sex was typical Christina Lauren; sexy and sweet, all rolled up into one. More sexy than anything, obviously. Luke is a manwhore. Has a different girl on any given night but he wants London. She's a refreshing surprise to the usual girls he takes home. Also, it was nice seeing his point of view with the Mia situation. He really did love her.

Anyways, back to London and Luke. I enjoyed this book way too much - much like I do most of these books. I loved Luke's sister Margot, and hope that eventually she gets her own story. Oh, and Not Joe, I want his story soooooo bad! I don't know why I thought this one was going to be about him. I'm glad we got Luke though, he was everything one could want and more.

*Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy for a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Buy the Book!

About the Authors:
Christina Lauren is the combined pen name of long-time writing partners/besties/soulmates/brain-twins Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings. The coauthor duo writes both Young Adult and Adult Fiction, and together has produced twelve New York Times bestselling novels. Their books have been translated into 28+ languages. (Some of these books have kissing. Some of these books have A LOT of kissing.)
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Friday, February 5, 2016

Blog Tour Review- Red: The True Story of Red Riding Hood by Liesl Shurtliff



 Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Pub. Date: April 12, 2016
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Source: Print ARC
Rating: 4 Stars



 Blurb:
Can’t get enough of the new fairy-tale-retelling trend? Don’t miss Liesl Shurtliff’s new dark, humorous stand-alone middle grade novel RED: THE TRUE STORY OF RED RIDING HOOD (on sale April 12, 2016)!

 
Liesl Shurtliff spins a spellbinding tale, shining the spotlight on one of the most beloved characters from her award-winning debut, Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin. This isn’t the Little Red Riding Hood from the canonical children’s tale. Shurtliff’s Red is strong, independent, brazen, and not afraid of anything . . . except magic. But when Red’s granny falls ill, it seems that only magic can save her, and fearless Red is forced to confront her weakness. Readers will gobble up this bewitching fantasy as they join Red on her journey of discovery through the sinister dangers of the enchanted dark forest.
 
Liesl Shurtliff’s first book, Rump, won over kids and critics alike, earning an IRA Award, a Texas Bluebonnet nomination, a Whitney nomination, and a starred review from Kirkus, proclaiming it “as good as gold.”
 
In RED, Liesl Shurtliff is at her best. New York Times bestselling author of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library Chris Grabenstein raves that “Liesl Shurtliff has truly out-magicked herself. Red is the most wonder-filled fairy tale of them all.” RED will capture the hearts of readers who like it Grimm, as well as followers of ABC’s TV show Once Upon a Time.
 
Oh, reader, what big teeth you have! The better to devour RED: THE TRUE STORY OF RED RIDING HOOD.

Review:
I love anything that has to do with fairy tales. Whether it be a retelling, the original, a movie; it doesn't matter, I simply adore them. With Red, it was no different. In fact, I thought that the take on the classic tale of Little Red Riding Hood, was brilliant. In this version, Red's grandma gets sick, which is when Red goes through the woods to look for the right ingredients to help make her better. Along the way, she meets the infamous wolf we all love so much. But wait, we also get to see other fairy tale characters and it's just so much fun!

I can't tell you how much Red has been such a pleasure to read about. I let my niece read the book after me, and the look of pure joy on her face as she read, was astounding. Red is the kind of character that you flock to just because she's spunky, fun, and an all around great character. We are taken on a fun adventure filled with quirky characters and action. Action that will keep, you, as the reader, on your toes.

I think readers of all ages will enjoy this cute story simply for the fact that it's a different take on a classic tale. Plus it's one that you'll most likely still be thinking about long after you've finished the pages. I haven't read the authors other books, Rump and Jack, but I plan to because if they're anything like Red, I know for a fact I will enjoy them. Fairy tale fans, you don't want to miss out!

Buy the Book!

About the Author:
Liesl Shurtliff was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, with the mountains for her playground. Just like Rump, Liesl was shy about her name, growing up. Not only did it rhyme with weasel, she could never find it on any of those personalized key chains in gift shops. But over the years she’s grown to love having an unusual name—and today she wouldn’t change it for the world!
Before she became a writer, Liesl graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in music, dance, and theater. She now lives in Chicago with her husband and three young children, where she still dreams of the mountains. Rump is her first novel. 

Website
Twitter

RED: THE TRUE STORY OF LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD Pre-Pub Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, February, 1: Bookiemoji, Author Guest Post
Tuesday, February, 2: Seeing Double In Neverland, Review
Wednesday, February, 3: MundieMoms/Kids, Review
Thursday, February, 4: BookHounds, Author Interview
Friday, February, 5: The Lovely Books, Review
Saturday, February, 6: I'm Shelf-ish, Guest Post
Sunday, February, 7:  Kid Lit Frenzy, Review
Monday, February, 8: Mel's Shelves, Review
Tuesday, February, 9: Once Upon A Twilight, Author Random Facts
Wednesday, February, 10: SciFiChick.com, Review
Thursday, February, 11: Swoony Boys Podcast, Review
Friday, February, 12: Bittersweet Enchantment, Review
Saturday, February, 13: WinterHaven Books, Review except 18
Sunday, February, 14: The Cover Contessa, Review
Monday, February, 15: Pandora's Books, Review
Tuesday, February, 16: On Starships and Dragonwings, Review
Wednesday, February, 17: As They Grow Up, Review
Thursday, February, 18: Owl Always Be Reading, Review
Friday, February, 19: Such a Novel Idea, Playlist and Review
Saturday, February, 20: The Children's Book Review, A Selfie and a Shelfie
Sunday, February, 21: The Mod Podge Bookshelf, Author Movie Cast
Monday, February, 22: Katie's Clean Book Collection, Review
Tuesday, February, 23: Words We Heart, Review
Wednesday, February, 24: Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers, Author Guest Post
Thursday, February, 25: Confessions of a Readaholic, Review
Friday, February, 26: Bookish Antics, Review
Saturday, February, 27: Bumbles and Fairy-Tales, Review
Sunday, February, 28: Valerie's Reviews, Review
Monday, February, 29: Lili's Reflections, Review
Tuesday, March, 1: To Read, or Not To Read, Review
Wednesday, March 2: Stories & Sweeties, Review
Thursday, March 3: Cafinated Reads, Review
Friday, March 4: The Book Monsters, Review
Saturday, March 5: Twinning for Books, Review
Sunday, March 6: Curling Up With A Good Book, Review
Monday, March 7: The Compulsive Reader, Review
Tuesday, March 8: The Reading Nook Reviews, Review
Wednesday, March 9: Resch Reads and Reviews, Review
Thursday, March 10: Beauty and the Bookshelf, Review
Friday, March 11: Xpresso Reads, Review
Saturday, March 12: Diamond’s Reads, Review
Sunday, March 13: Blissful Book Reviews, Review
Monday, March 14: Vi3tbabe, Review
Tuesday, March 15: The Book Cellar, Review
 

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Monday, February 1, 2016

Review- Did I Mention I Need You? (DIMLY, #2) by Estelle Maskame


Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Pub. Date: March 1, 2016
Genre: New Adult
Source: e-ARC
Rating: 4.5 Stars

 
Blurb-
Love has no rules.

It's been a year since Eden Munro last saw Tyler Bruce: her stepbrother...and secret love. Although they swore to ignore their feelings and put their family first, Eden can't help but feel excited when Tyler invites her to join him in New York City for the summer.

But it's not like anything is going to happen. Eden is happy with her boyfriend Dean, and she knows gorgeous, green-eyed Tyler must have moved on as well. But as they spend the long, hot summer in the city that never sleeps, it becomes obvious that those old feelings are still there...simmering beneath the surface. Will Tyler and Eden be able to resist temptation?

Did I Mention I Need You? is book two in Wattpad sensation Estelle Maskame's DIMILY trilogy: three unforgettable summers of secrets, heartbreak and forbidden romance.
 

Review-
You've probably seen the reviews saying, "what the hell is up with that ending!". But seriously, what in the ever living hell was that? It's torturous and excruciating having to wait until the next book comes out, after the way everything was left. My heart is beating really fast because I LOVE angst. I can kind of see where Tyler is coming from...in a way. A ways, my lips are sealed, I won't reveal anything else about that God-awful (not really) ending. 

It's been two years since the night Tyler and Eden realized that their feelings went beyond what a step-brother and step-sister should feel. It's been a whole year since the two have seen each other; and their finally going to come face to face for six whole weeks in New York. So much can happen in between all those days. The tension and chemistry pick up as if Tyler and Eden haven't spent the year apart. The fact that Eden is dating Dean, Tyler's best friend, isn't an important detail. 

Who am I kidding?! OF COURSE IT'S A HUGE DEAL. Dean. Poor guy never stood a chance in my opinion, I know Eden was trying to do the right thing but I can't help but think she was selfish. Cheating. It's the single most heinous act one can do to their significant other. So if that's something you absolutely can't deal with, I suggest staying away from the book. 

Woo. Glad we got that out of the way. Now onto my favorite subject - Tyler and Eden. In New York! I had so much fun reading the first book and the second book was just as good. We see Tyler in a new light; he's doing good and he's even sexier than ever. I loved seeing both him and Eden interacting. There was just one slight little problem; Eden got on my nerves. She spent a lot of time being jealous when she had absolutely no right to. One being, she's dating Tyler's best friend and she has the nerve to ask him if it still bothers him. 

Um, yeah sister! Of course it still bothers him... I still don't think she has any right whatsoever to act the way she does. Other than that, I didn't have a problem with the book. Obviously! I can't wait to get my hands on the next book and find out where life takes Eden and Tyler. Guys, I'm telling you, pick up these books! It's full of everything a book lover devours. 

Buy the Book!

Blurb:
Love is everything but expected.

Eden Munro came to California for a summer of sun, sand, and celebrities—what better way to forget about the drama back home? Until she meets her new family of strangers: a dad she hasn’t seen in three years, a stepmom, and three stepbrothers.

Eden gets her own room in her dad’s fancy house in Santa Monica. A room right next door to her oldest stepbrother, Tyler Bruce. Whom she cannot stand. He has angry green eyes and an ego bigger than a Beverly Hills mansion. She’s never felt such intense dislike for someone. But the two are constantly thrown together as his group of friends pulls her into their world of rule-breaking, partying, and pier-hanging.

And the more she tries to understand what makes Tyler burn hotter than the California sun, the more Eden finds herself falling for the one person she shouldn’t love…


Buy the Book!

About the Author:
 Estelle Maskame is a novelist from Peterhead in Scotland. After gaining universal acclaim online during her teenage years, she signed a print contract with the Edinburgh-based publisher Black & White Publishing at the age of seventeen. She left school and now writes full-time. Did I Mention I Love You? is her first novel.

Website

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Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Spotlight: Blood of my Blood by R.P. Channing



Genres:
Young Adult Romance
Paranormal Romance
High School
Vampires, Demons, Witches
Dark Fantasy
Horror
Blurb:
After a near fatal accident (and getting cheated on by her 'boyfriend'), and beating up the lead cheerleader (with whom the boyfriend cheated...), and being labeled as having 'issues' in her school because she, uhm, sees ghosts, Kira is left with two choices: 

1. Continue her 'therapy' (where she's told the ghost is a hallucination and also gets her legs ogled too often...) 

Or 

2. Go to Starkfield Academy, a boarding school for "Crazies and Convicts" (as the social media sites call them.)

She chooses the latter...

~ Cory Rand ~

Cory Rand has not had an easy life. His mother died in a car accident when he was twelve, and so did his mother's best friend...sort of. You see, Janice made a promise to take care of Cory just before she died, and so she lingers. Undead. A ghost that watches out for him.

Brought up in an abusive home, Cory quickly falls into a life of disreputable behavior. After his third offense (which was prompted by a girl, as usual - he has a weakness) he's left with two choices: 

1. Be tried as an adult and share a cell with a guy named Bubba (he thinks...) 

Or 

2. Go to Starkfield Academy, which Cory is pretty sure is run by vampires. But, hey, at least he'll get an education.

He chooses the latter...

It's at Starkfield that Kira meets Cory Rand, a boy with an insatiable Rage who sees ghosts, too. As well as other things, other things from his past, things that confuse him, things like fire and witches and demons.

Things he's always ignored. 

Until now.


Excerpt:
PROLOGUE
-1-
The Puppy Eyes
My life was perfect.
I had the perfect shoes and the perfect friends and I lived in the perfect house.
My nails were perfect and my hair was perfect (except on Sundays, it was always
windy on Sundays) and I had the perfect clothes. My lips were a perfect red and my
hair perfectly straight. My eyeshadow was perfect, my hips were...okay, and my
waist...well...also okay. Nothing was wrong in my life.

But then there was Jack.
Jack was a problem.
He needed to go. I mean, when you’re dead, you’re dead! I had told him this
endlessly. Somehow, Jack didn’t get it. I mean, I felt sorry for the guy. Sure. Being
stuck between this life and the next. But just because I found him, does that mean I
needed to keep him?

I think not!

Sadly, when Jack got that look in his eyes, that weary, almost teary (if his tearducts
worked) look, I melted. I just couldn’t send him away. Not even Jack knew
where he would go after he died.

Would he, like, die? As in — dead, nada, kaput, finito, gone, no more? Bye bye,
sayonara, ciao, hasta la vista baby and all that?
I couldn’t have that on my conscience. No way.

I lay on my bed, wondering what to do about him. “Jaaaaaaack,” I hollered.

“Jaaaaaaack!”

Still no answer.

“Jack!”

Jack...materialized
.
His eyes rolled down to the ground. He was making those puppy eyes again.
“Jack, I told you not to do that. I told you not to play on my sympathies.”


His puppy eyes became worse.

His skin was gray and, well, dead.

“Oh, brother,” I said. “I have to do something about you. If mom finds out I have
another ‘imaginary friend’ — at my age — well, I’d die of embarrassment. But, like,
really die. Not like you.” I wondered about this. Would I die? Was Jack a freak
accident, or did all people live on like him? Think of the cemeteries...

The idea excited me somewhat.

“What would you have me do, Miss Kira?”

“Knock off the Miss Kira crap. I told you it’s just Kira.”

“Yes, Miss Kira.”

The dead. There’s just no reasoning.

“Fine, Miss Kira it is then.” Rover barked like a lunatic in the garden. No one
else might be able to see Jack, but I was sure my dog could.

“I have to do something about this,” I mumbled.

Buy Links
Kindle Unlimited

$20 Amazon Gift Voucher Giveaway
At the back of the book there is a giveaway link. Once the book hits fifty reviews on Amazon, one of those reviewers will win a $20 (US Dollars) Amazon Gift Voucher!

Author Bio
R P Channing started writing three years ago, but never published anything even after churning out over a million words of fiction. Thirst: Blood of my Blood is the first book he dared to publish. When asked why, he said, “Because it’s the first thing I wrote that my wife actually enjoyed reading.” When not hammering away (most literally) at his keyboard, he can be found buried in a book, reading anything from romance to horror to young adult to non-fiction to comedy. 

Author Links
Website- 
http://blog.rpchanning.com 
Twitter
@rpchanning
Amazon
http://amazon.com/author/rpchanning 


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